April 1, 2010

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Jaguars FS, Don Carey Interview (First Ever)

by Max Strauss

Don Carey III attended Norfolk State University and started in games all four years at safety and cornerback playing in 44 games. He was known for having soft hands, intercepting five passes his senior year. He was drafted in the sixth round, 177th overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2009 NFL Draft. He was on the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2010 and was their starting safety. He was cut in 2011, but signed with the Detroit Lions. This interview was performed before the 2010 regular season.

Strauss : So, welcome Don, why do you make it important to connect to the fans?

Carey : I love fans, I feel as if I’m a fan of sports myself.

Strauss : If you could meet anyone in the world (alive or dead), who would it be and why?

Carey : Entirely too many people I want to sit down and have a conversation with. I don’t really have one in particular though.

Strauss : Who was your childhood star?

Carey : My mother is my Star. I’ve watched her raise four Kids, work two jobs, and often not eat so that we could. She still had a smile on her face and always had time to make sure her children were loved and knew who God is.

Strauss : What is your favorite movie of all time?

Carey : Life with Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, + many more

Strauss : What is your favorite snack food?

Carey : Tropicana Orange Juice haha.

Strauss : Hmmm… What is the one thing you can’t leave your house without?

Carey : My CarMax.

Strauss : What is your favorite type of pie?

Carey : I like Strawberry Cheesecake.

Strauss : What was your favorite NFL team growing up?

Carey : I’ve been a Buccaneers fan ever since Tony D took over the team. Their Defense ranks in the top of all-time in my book.

Strauss : When did you see your first live NFL game? Who played? Who won?

Strauss : When did you realize that you were going to play football in college and the NFL?

Carey : I didn’t know I would play football in college until a month before my high school graduation. I didn’t know I had a chance to play in the NFL until the summer before my senior season in college.

Strauss : If you weren’t playing in the NFL (or after retirement), what would you want to do?

Carey : I had a job as a field engineer for Hensel Phelps Construction out in Phoenix, AZ. If I wasn’t in the NFL, I would be in Phoenix.

Strauss : What impact did your high school coach have on your college career?

Carey : My high school coach (Larry Stepney) helped me get into college on a full scholarship. He, personally, took my highlight tape to the NSU coaching staff.

Strauss : Describe the hardest change between the jump from high school to college.

Carey : Dealing with the size of the other players.

Strauss : What have you learned from college DB Coach, Marco Butler?

Carey : Marco is a great guy, easy to talk to, and always willing to listen. He taught us how to be a player and give effort one hundred percent!

Strauss : Why did you choose the number 27 at NSU?

Carey : My coach gave me the number because I reminded him of Rashean Mathis

Strauss : How had your game improved throughout college?

Carey : Every year, I got a better understanding of the Defense which allowed me to play faster.

Strauss : Who was the hardest player for you to defend against in college? why?

Carey : Kenny Britt <- Dude is a handful for anyone. lol.

Strauss : What is your favorite memory from Norfolk State?

Carey : My favorite memory was blocking the game winning field goal vs. Hampton in 2007, we won 20-19. Fans came onto the field and did the Cupid Shuffle.

Strauss : What was it like to train for the combine?

Carey : Exciting! I really got a chance to see what other big name guys were like and how I matched up against them.

Strauss : Describe the hardest change between the jump from college to the NFL.

Carey : The speed and schemes are both elevated.

Strauss : What impact did your college coach have on your professional career?

Carey : Coach Adrian really opened my eyes in terms of Defense. I was blessed to watch film and talk about football with him. I learned a lot.

Strauss : Why did you choose #22 on the Jaguars?

Carey : My uncle has been a Jaguars fan since they came into the NFL, and he wore 22 when he played.

Strauss : As you’ve grown as a player, how important has film been to your development?

Carey : I am more mature than I was a year ago. I’ve been watching film and being around the NFL meetings has really helped develop me mentally. I look for anything that can give me the edge.

Strauss : What’s the hardest workout for you to complete?

Carey : All of our workouts are challenging, Coach Richardson really does a great job with us in the weight room.

Strauss : How do you get better at being a defensive back from wide receivers?

Carey : By watching them and learning from the way the run their routes.

Strauss : What does DB Coach, Cory Undlin, really do for your development?

Carey : Coach Undlin is a super cool dude. He really focuses on technique and demand that we be technically sound, he is a great coach.

Strauss : What do you learn from Defensive Coordinator, Mel Tucker?

Carey : Coach Tucker really has an understanding of how offenses work. Every time he speaks, I learn something new. Coach helps us focus on technique, the better your technique is, the more physical you can be.

Strauss : Has Coach Jack Del Rio said anything to you?

Carey : He told me to continue to work hard and they are excited to have me on the team.

Strauss : Could you have predicted how far football was going to carry you?

Carey : Not at all.

Strauss : What is an experience that changed your life?

Carey : Watching my mother raise four kids by herself.

Strauss : Who are your best buddies on the team?

Carey : Rashad Jennings and Derek Cox.

Strauss : What have you learned from teammates?

Carey : How to be a Professional and how to balance football with family.

Strauss : What is your favorite quote?

Carey : “DEFINE YOURSELF FOR YOURSELF, BECAUSE IF YOU DON’T YOU’LL BE THROWN INTO OTHERS’ FANTASY AND EATEN ALIVE!!!” ~ Audre Lorde